Glass-ionomer cements in orthopaedic surgery: design of laboratory tests

Recently, interest has been shown in the use of Glass-ionomer cement as a bone cement in orthopaedic surgery. This paper discusses the determination of working time, setting time and compressive strength for an experimental Glass-ionomer [GI] and the existing poly(methyl methacrylate) [PMMA] cement. Conventional test methods and some novel techniques are explored. Suggestions are made for new techniques which will allow the comparison of different types of cement. The effect of different storage media on cement stability has shown that both cements show a degree of instability dependent on the medium used. The properties reported for the GI cement suggest that it has the potential to be a new bone cement.